Pupils using energy detection devices.

The children at St Michael’s Primary School just couldn’t wait for Moira to return for their second science workshop, when they could get to work with their energy detection devices around the school.

After a short presentation by Moira, the pupils were well versed in the energy crimes they were to look out for. Lights being left on unnecessarily, the heating on too high and drafts caused by poor installations were just some of the misdemeanors for which they were looking out.

The class was divided into small groups and sent out around the school with light and temperature meters. They took their roles of authority very seriously when entering other classrooms, informing the teachers that the heating didn’t need to be on, and that the thermostat was set far to high. They also noted that the lights in the hall didn’t need to be on, as there was plenty of natural light streaming in through the windows. The school secretary was also interrogated to ensure that the photocopier was switched off overnight.

They will spend their next science session looking over their findings and implementing changes to cut the schools energy consumption.

Pupils using a temperature gun in their classroom.

The pupils at St Michael’s C of E Primary School are taking their science project very seriously. After all it is not every day nine and ten year olds are elevated to the status of ‘Energy Detectives’.

Moira Dorey, their commanding officer and energy expert from Oxford Brookes University, started the young detectives training by talking about the possible effects of climate change, which led to a discussion about the need to use energy sensibly.

The next stage involved learning to use all of the gadgets required to investigate cases of energy misuse and wastage. The temperature gun, essential in measuring room temperatures and locating leaks where heat is escaping. In their classroom alone, which they discovered was a little too warm, they found leaks around the stained glass window, through the floor and in a hole in the wall where wires were fed through. The watt meter was also a big hit with the pupils. They tested three different appliances, a kettle, a laptop and a CD player comparing the amount of energy each required. The kettle used the highest wattage at 2150 and the CD player the least only using 9 watts.

Other instruments of detection included a light box used to measure how much energy is used when turning on and off florescent light bulbs compared with the more energy efficient light bulbs.

Following their first science workshop, the young energy detectives can’t wait for Moira to return, when they will be investigating their entire school and looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption.